I AM... The Door
In a mix of metaphors Christ describes Himself as the relational shepherd, the door to salvation, and the sacrificial shepherd. This week we will focus on the Door, the means to relationship with God through faith in Christ. He not only saves us, but guards us against those who seek to take advantage of the sheep.
I AM... The Light of the World
John opens his Gospel with an acknowledgement that Jesus is the Light of the World, which is the life of men, of which the darkness cannot overcome. Jesus is the Light of the World, shining before us as a means to salvation, life eternal, if we would allow Him to shine in and through us.
I AM... The Bread of Life
There are 7 I Am statements of Jesus Christ found in the book of John. The first is found in John 6 where Christ says that He is the Bread of Life, referencing the manna given in the wilderness and presenting a better bread, one that will welcome them into the kingdom of heaven.
Acts 9.20-30 - Burdens of the Past
God’s redemptive work is transformative, being brought to life in Christ. Moving from death into life is challenging, especially when the past follows along with us. God uses this past not to define us, but to refine us, making us that much more effective in His work through us, to encourage and uplift one another.
Acts 9.10-19 - Dream Brother
Jesus commands Ananias, a faithful Jewish believer living in Damascus, to fulfill the calling of every disciple: to love our enemies. Specifically in this case: to find this persecutor named Saul, who was wreaking devastation upon the church and welcome him into the family of God.
Brian Dennis - Matthew 20.1-16 - Laborers in the Vineyard
Have you ever had to agree to make a sacrifice for something you wanted? And after you acquired that "something", you were satisfied, even though you had to give up something else for it? That was until you saw someone else acquire the exact same "something" without having to sacrifice anything at all. Did you resent that person or the one from whom you had made your agreement to give up something in exchange for it?
Acts 9.1-9 - Time to Change
A life-changing moment is one that not only impacts our future, but changes the way we think and process information. Paul turns from the most virulent opponent of Jesus to His most zealous follower. From a Pharisee of Pharisees to a man who recognizes his sin and his Savior.
Acts 8.26-40 - Should I Stay or Should I Go?
Not only is the Gospel breaking through the prejudice boundaries of Jews and Samaritans, but it is now reaching out into the world. A proselyte, a gentiles converted to Judaism, hears the Word of God through Philip and through the obedience of one, comes the salvation of the other.
Acts 8.4-25 - Do You Believe In Magic?
Persecution has driven the many follows of “The Way” out of Jerusalem and back into their homelands. Philip feels compelled to go to Samaria and speak the Gopsel to the “cousins” of Israel. But as the gospel breaks into other cultures is must face their regional folklore, religious backgrounds, and spiritual assumptions.
Acts 7.54-8.3 - Cast the First Stone
Stephen’s speech does not inspire a transformative belief in the masses, but an offended anger that cannot and will not bear the truth. This is a major turn in the church’s momentum as the first martyr dies while enwrapped in a vision of heaven. But even this great suffering and death brings greater purpose.
Acts 6.8-7.53 - Protect Ya Neck
With the apostles becoming essentially untouchable, the Sanhedrin because of fear of the crowds, they set their eyes on the newly elected Stephen. Arresting him while preaching the Good News, they drag Stephen to court, bring accusations similar to Christ against Him and demand he defend himself.
Isaiah 41 - Fearfully Fearless - Joshua Timari
God speaks and His voice shakes the world. Nations fall, people collapse in fear, even nature bows down to His words. Yet He lifts up the heads of His people, encouraging and comforting them, allowing this power to stand as a testimony of His ability to care for His peoples.
Acts 6.1-6 - Serve the Servants
Although not deacons themselves, the proto-deacon is seen here in Acts out of necessity. Cultural differences begin to threaten the church as an issue over feeding widows takes the headlines. The Apostles allow the church to appoint 7 men to solve issues like this an introduce us to the first martyr: Stephen.
Acts 5.12-42 - Angry Again
As the church continues to grow so does the resentment of the Sanhedrin at refusal of the Apostles to stop talking about Jesus as Messiah. Again the Apostles are arrested, but a miraculous jail-break and a voice of reason will bring a temporary reprieve from the persecution of the Pharisees.
Acts 4.32-5.11 - Over My Dead Body
As the church begins to suffer the first pangs of persecution, they turn to prayer to God for boldness. But troubles don’t just come from without, the first effects of human sin begin affecting the church from within, as pride, greed, and hypocrisy now find opportunity to poison the church.
Acts 4.23-31 - Public Service Announcement
After the initial pangs of persecution have cast themselves upon the disciples they immediately return to the church. Instead of being me with anger, fear, or outright panic from the many threats of the Sanhedrin, they turn to God and pray. Not for safety, but for boldness to declare the Gospel.
Acts 4.1-22 - I Won't Back Down
The healing of a man born lame has created an environment of excitement in the Temple that has allowed Peter a Gospel-centered sermon of repentance. We now see the fruit of such work, not just an increase in believers, but the beginning pangs of persecution. Uncomfortable truth leads to acceptance or rejection.
Acts 3.17-16 - In Case You Didn't Know
Common sense isn’t common. Every persons experience, knowledge, and thinking is unique to that individual; Yet each of us has experienced the majesty of creation, the emotional spectrum of humanity, the pain of being sinned against or sinning against another. These commonalities bring us closer to understanding God.
Acts 3.1-16 - Stand and Deliver
Miracles are present in the New Testament to grasp the attention of others. Our lives are full of the daily mundane that we often lose sight of the miraculous work around us. A miracle occurs in this text, not for the sake of the lame man, Peter, or John, but that others may pause and take to heart the word of God unto salvation.
Acts 2.43-47 - This is How We Do It Again
The 4 tenants of church life are Doctrine, Fellowship, Communion, and Prayer. We now see the fruits of that church life display itself in many ways among the people of Jerusalem. There is generosity, joy, kindness, and many other fruitful displays of lives changed by the power of the Holy Spirit and the glory of God.
Acts 2.42 - Join Together
After the events of Pentecost the church begins to find its footing. The beginnings of the church look very much like todays church: they dedicated themselves to four major actions: Doctrine, Fellowship, Communion, and Prayer. In this way the church begins to fulfill her mission: glory to God.
Acts 2.37-41 - I Love You 3000
Peter’s words and the Holy Spirit pierce the hearts of those who hear and they cry out, “What shall we do?”. Seeing their depravity and recognizing their need, they yearn for the Good News. Peter directs them towards repentance, baptism, and ultimately the truth of Jesus Christ and the way to salvation He made for us.
Acts 2.22-36 - Testify
The testimony of many witnesses declare the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The power to save, to transform, to restore relationship with God. Now we testify of our redeemer, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. May we declare the truth of our salvation, that others may know, believe, and be saved.
Acts 2.1-21 - In Any Tongue
The power promised now comes upon the disciples that they begin the church and the ministry of bearing witness to the ends of the earth. It begins in Jerusalem, where God has gathered many of His people from all over Rome to the Feast of First Fruits; that they may hear, know, and bear witness even further.
Acts 1.12-26 - I Choose You
With the death of Judas the number of Apostles has fallen to 11. In order to complete the number to 12 they must select another. A list of requirements and a practice of faith in God reveals Matthias. Where sovereignty and responsibility meet, is walking in the steps of faith.
Acts 1.9-11 - Head in the Clouds
The risen Lord rises even further, into the clouds and the very presence of God. As the people of God who benefit from the ministrations of Jesus, we long for His presence. Yet it is by His own words that’s He must leave in order for the Spirit to come, and for our lives to be made new.
Acts 1.4-8 - Edge of the World
The book of Acts is the history of the Christian church and the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s a book that highlights the transition from the Old Testament to the New Testament and the effects of the New Covenant taking hold. It is also, primarily, the inspired Word of God, useful for our daily sanctification.
Acts 1.1-3 - And... Action
The book of Acts is the history of the Christian church and the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s a book that highlights the transition from the Old Testament to the New Testament and the effects of the New Covenant taking hold. It is also, primarily, the inspired Word of God, useful for our daily sanctification.
2 Kings 4.8-32 - A Woman's Story
A miraculous birth, a resurrection, a restoration. Three miracles come upon a woman so humble she is only identified by her hometown. The Shunamite woman has many different aspect, but the most impactful was her faithfulness. In her hospitality, ferocity, honesty, and humility, this is a woman’s story worth hearing.
Book of Joel - Face to Face
An army of locusts ravage Israel, leaving them destitute, hungry, and immensely broken. Joel arises in the aftermath of this plague and his message is twofold: more is coming and God is coming too. Joel calls out for Israel to Lament and Repent as the Day of the Lord draws closer. Let us discover this two-fold process together.
Hebrews 13.22-25 - Goodbye for Now
As we wrap up the book of Hebrews our final greetings lead us to the final four concepts of the book. To love, honor, serve, and forgive one another. This has been a wonderful book to preach through and discover together and I pray it has been a blessing to draw closer to God through His Word of Hebrews.
